Tributes have poured in for Val Kilmer. The actor who played Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” and channeled as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone‘s “The Doors” and starred in several other 1980s favorites, has died, The New York Times has confirmed. He was 65. He had been battling throat cancer for several years.
Michael Mann, who directed Kilmer alongside Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Jon Voight in the much-praised 1995 action-thriller “Heat,” remember the actor as bringing a “powerful current” to movie.
“While working with Val on ‘Heat’ I always marveled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character. After so many years of Val battling disease and maintaining his spirit, this is tremendously sad news,” Mann said in a statement.
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Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Kilmer in “Twixt,” paid tribute to him on Instagram. “Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life,” he wrote. “He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know — I will always remember him.”
The official “Top Gun” X account also honored Kilmer, writing that his “indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. RIP Iceman.”
Ron Howard said on X that he “was incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Val a number of times over the years,” mentioning his “Willow” role, “The Doors” and his cameo in “The Missing.”
“I list these titles because even my own personal creative experiences reflect his awesome range as an actor,” Howard continued. “Check out his filmography. Amazing. His art extended to his poetry, artworks, filmmaking and simply the way he lived. Bon Voyage, Val And thank you.”
Josh Brolin posted a picture of himself with Kilmer on Instagram, writing, “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.”
Cher, who dated Kilmer in 1982 and remained friends with the actor, said on X: “VALUS. Will miss u,U Were Funny,crazy,pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND,kids💜U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.”
Ralph Fiennes, who starred alongside Kilmer in the animated musical “The Prince of Egypt,” wrote “Val Kilmer rest in peace” on X alongside a photo from the production.
Meanwhile, Matthew Modine reminisced that “if it wasn’t for our chance encounter at the Source in 1985, I may never have been cast in ‘Full Metal Jacket.’ Thanks, Val.”
Josh Gad also paid tribute over Instagram, posting a photo of Kilmer as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky from “Top Gun.” Gad wrote, “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”
Jennifer Tilly who played Okie Girl in “The Doors” recalled meeting Kilmer during the audition process. She wrote, “It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamela‘s. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway.” Tilly continued, “All of a sudden, a sixties convertible came screeching up, blaring Doors Music at top volume. And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. We all looked at each other like… Who is this guy? We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well of course it was Val Kilmer and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance.”
Ben Stiller called Kilmer a “beautiful creative artist.” He posted, “I and so many will miss the great Val Kilmer who was kind and brilliant and incredibly cool. A beautiful creative artist whose work will live on. Sending love to his family.”
In a statement, Jim Carrey said, “I’m remembering Val Kilmer today with great admiration for him as a man and as a generational talent who left us an enviable legacy of indelible acting performances. His greatest artistic achievements were rivaled only by the grace and courage with which he endured his life’s most challenging moments. Wishing his family so much love.”
Legendary visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic remembered Kilmer with a post on its official Instagram Threads account. The post read, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague, Val Kilmer. From his memorable roles as Madmartigan, Iceman, Doc Holliday, and Jim Morrison, Val cemented himself as one of the greats. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Lauren Holly wrote a short tribute to Kilmer, posting simply, “RIP Val Kilmer” to Threads.
American Author Don Winslow wrote on X, “Rest in peace VAL KILMER. A brilliant actor and a good man.”
“Twin Peaks” actor Kyle MacLachlan also shared a tribute via X. He wrote, “You’ll always be my Jim. See you on the other side my friend.”
Kilmer was a leading man in the 1980s and 1990s, with starring roles in “Top Gun,” “Real Genius,” “Tombstone,” “Heat,” and “The Saint.” He returned briefly in 2021’s “Top Gun: Maverick” although he could no longer speak due to his cancer.
In 2021, a documentary on his life, “Val,” was released. His son provided the actor’s voice and the film utilized hundreds of hours of video he had recorded over the years, giving a revealing look at the sets he worked on and showing the actor to be an introspective thinker with an artist’s soul.
